Westwood House

Westwood House Westwood House offers free meals and a food pantry to those who are food insecure. The food pantry i

07/30/2026

Like a cool drink of water when you’re worn out and weary
is a letter from a long-lost friend. (Proverbs 25:25)

Just today I was talking with a colleague about my need to reach out to my prayer partner. I said I really should send them a card. Wisdom seems to agree.

Who can you send a letter to this week? Ask God to place on your heart the one who could use this card the most. Then send it.

07/30/2026

When your enemies fall, don’t rejoice.
When they stumble, don’t let your heart be glad,
or the Lord will see it and be displeased,
and he will turn his anger from them. (Proverbs 24:17-18)

A few weeks ago we were driving in Kansas City when a rather reckless driver sped past us weaving in and out of traffic. 5 miles later we see this driver pulled over on the side of the road with flashing lights behind him. We found great joy in this.

Sometimes it is easy to reveal in the misfortune or consequences others face, especially when we see them as deserved, but Wisdom call us not to rejoice in the downfall of others. 1st Corinthians 13 tells us somethings similar--
"Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, 5 it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints..."

In love and wisdom, how do we respond when others, even those we despise, stumble and fall? Do we offer grace and mercy?

Proverbs 23 spends a great deal of time discussing the risks of wine and encourage readers to stay away.Growing up Unite...
07/25/2026

Proverbs 23 spends a great deal of time discussing the risks of wine and encourage readers to stay away.

Growing up United Methodist, we only ever had grape juice at communion. So I was curious to read some Wesley sermons on the matter as I prepared this post, but I was side tracked when my google search pulled up a Budweiser beer ad from 1908.

I found it fun. So I thought I would share. It seems during that time, the American temperance, Budweiser used a number of “famous” persons to encourage beer drinking including: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and William Shakespeare.

07/24/2026

Remove the mocker and conflict disappears;
judgment and shame also stop. (22:10)

Don’t befriend people controlled by anger;
don’t associate with hot-tempered people;
otherwise, you will learn their ways
and become trapped. (22:24-25)

There are people who seem to be perpetually angry. The little things set off big explosions, they are critical and unhappy. I find that time spent among such people often puts me in a bad mood. I find myself focusing on the negative, getting upset over small thing, and being harsh toward others.

Wisdom tells us that separating ourselves from those influences is the wise thing to do. Is there someone you need to spend less time with? Are you in need of changing your own perspective and attitude to make sure you are not influencing others toward negativity and anger?

07/22/2026

“A quietly given gift soothes an irritable person;
a heartfelt present cools a hot temper.” (Proverbs 21:14)

Who do you know who could use a little pick-me-up? Is there someone you can bless with a small gift to bring them a little joy today?

Sneak a candy bar on a co-workers desk. Buy the coffee of the person behind you. Tip 100% at dinner out. Bring cookies to the bank tellers. Do your spouses least favorite chore.

07/21/2026

Proverbs 20 feels as if it has something to say about everything. It talks of alcohol and actions, fighting and finances, eyes and ears and expensive jewels, loyalty and lies, and so much more. Much of it feels like common sense, but some feels beyond counter cultural--at least counter to our current culture.

"Kindness and faithfulness protect the king;
he supports his throne by kindness."

How often do we think of leaders needing to be strict and strong, never showing weakness, responding in force or others will take advantage? But those aren't the words of Wisdom. Wisdom says be kind and honest and loyal--to God, to others, to yourself.

How are you living kindly, honestly, and loyally? Are you faithfully following where God is calling? Are you being honest with yourself about your struggles and weaknesses? Are you treating each person you encounter with kindness?

I frequently tell my oldest that she needs to be a leader because others, especially those younger than her, are watching. Perhaps I need to remind myself that God calls me to be a leader as well. I need to remind myself that others are watching as I call myself a Christian. Am I leading (living) with kindness, honesty, and loyalty? Am I leading (living) as God has called or as the world dictates? How are you leading?

07/21/2026

Proverbs 19

"Angry people must pay the penalty;
if you rescue them, then you will have to do it again." (v.19)

Years ago our family therapist told us that sometimes the only way we can learn is through "natural consequences."

For example, we can tell a child over and over not to touch the stove because it is hot, but until they actually burn their hand they won't fully understand what that means. Or we can tell a child over and over they need to share, but until kids don't want to play with them because they wont share, they wont understand fully why they need to share.

v. 19 is getting at a similar understanding. Amy Plantinga Pauw says, "There is danger in a rescuing people from the consequences of their actions." The message translations of verse 19 reads, " if you try to make it better, you’ll only make it worse."

Sometimes what is best, even when difficult and painful, is to let folks experiences the consequences of their own actions--sometimes it is the only way we learn.

When my nephew was little, Bryan and I took him to the zoo. We were in the cat house looking at lions; however, Blake sw...
07/18/2026

When my nephew was little, Bryan and I took him to the zoo. We were in the cat house looking at lions; however, Blake swore they were tigers. He and Bryan went back and forth and back and forth. Until finally Blake put a hand on either side of Bryan’s face holding him still and forcing Bryan to look at him. He then slowly and intentionally said, “Listen to my words, Bryan. It’s. A. Tiger.”

Proverbs 18 recognizes listening as the key to understanding, knowledge, and in general, not looking like a fool.

2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing their opinion.
13 Those who answer before they listen
are foolish and disgraceful.
15 An understanding mind gains knowledge;
the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

How much of our day is spent talking? How much is spent listening? Who are we listening to, the ones we agree with or the ones we don’t? Are we interested only in being right or in creating relationships and growing in understanding?

Recently I saw a statistics that Lionel Messi has spent 63% of the World Cup games walking. If someone were to watch me for a week I wonder what my talking percentage would be. Alex spent 82% of her week talking, 10% of her week zoning out, and only 8% of her week listening. I could see this easily being my stats.

I think my prayer this week will be,
“God, help me to shut my mouth, that I might hear you and your children.”

Or perhaps,
“God, help me to listen.”

I’m just gonna leave this here…“A wise servant takes charge of an unruly child and is honored as one of the family.”(...
07/18/2026

I’m just gonna leave this here…

“A wise servant takes charge of an unruly child
and is honored as one of the family.”
(Proverbs 17:2)

07/16/2026

July 16, Proverbs 16

Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of listening to Pastor Jen from the University of Nebraska-Kearney preach. Towards the end of her sermon she said, "The strength we need will come from Christ, not from us creating it."

How will I get through this? How can I do all this? How will we manage?

I can't do this. I quit. I cannot handle one more thing.

These are questions and thoughts we have probably all had at some point in our lives. Questions and thoughts we have in the moments when the weight of the world is too much, when the stress of life is crushing, when we feel alone in our struggles.

At times, it is hard to remember in these moments that God is with. At times, it is hard to pause long enough to pray for fear we might drown. At times, we need someone else to remind us.

So...
Pastor Jen says, "The strength we need will come from Christ, not from us creating it."
John Wesley says, "What God calls you to, God will fit you for."
Proverbs 16:9 says, "We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it."

May you remember the strength of the Lord is in you, with you, and upon you for all you may face this day and in the days ahead.

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